Celtic Challenge Run Comes To An End

Saturday 10.05.2025

All Ireland Series

Tyrone’s run in the Celtic Challenge came to an end on Saturday when they lost out to a very talented Meath side. Tyrone can take heart and some consolation not only for the closeness of the result but also from the quality of their play.

The home team settled quickly and hit the first of their three goals after three minutes. They pulled further ahead after full forward Cathal Cunningham fired to the net on eight minutes to leave the score 2-3 to. 0-3 and Meath well and truly shocked.

Tyrone added further points courtesy of Cormac Mc Erlean and Cunningham but the Red Hands suffered a significant blow when they lost Mc Erlean to injury following a heavy challenge in the Meath defence.

The Red Hands appeared to be well set at half time as they defended the final minute of the half but Meath capitalised on hesitancy in the Tyrone rearguard and fired the sliotar to the net to send the teams off at the break with Tyrone leading by six.

Meath were well improved after the break and their forwards in particular caused all sorts of problems with their pace and movement. Tyrone battled hard to keep with them but the Royals were beginning to enjoy themselves and even though they lost a man to a straight red card they dominated the remainder of the game and ran out convincing 4-14 to 3-11 winners.

Credit to this young Tyrone sides for playing right to the end and creating at least four excellent goal scoring chances in the final ten minutes but only managed to convert one.